if i were allowed to take notes during a game of chess, i would be much better

[_MVP_]

because i find keeping and sorting and not forgetting and not mixing up and tracking calculations all in my head hard to do

 

[_MVP_]

also the more time i had for the moves the better i would be

 

[_MVP_]

ChatGPT:​

That actually makes a lot of sense — what you’re describing is one of the hardest parts of chess that has nothing to do with pure “chess knowledge.”
What you’re noticing are a few distinct cognitive skills that chess heavily taxes:

1. Working memory — holding multiple positions, move sequences, and evaluations in mind simultaneously.
2. Attention switching — jumping between lines without confusing them or losing track of your earlier thoughts.
3. Time management under cognitive load — deciding when to stop calculating and make a decision.

If you could take notes, you’d effectively be externalizing your working memory — writing things down would let your brain focus on reasoning rather than juggling all that information. That’s why chess engines, or even correspondence players, can analyze so much deeper: they have “perfect memory” or can write notes.
It also explains why you’d improve with more time — time helps offset the mental overhead of tracking multiple lines in your head. Many players find they play much stronger in slow online formats (like 30|0 or daily) than blitz or bullet, precisely for this reason.
If you want to train this aspect without breaking the “no notes” rule, here are a few ideas:

• Verbalize your thoughts quietly (in your head) — forming sentences like “if I play Qd4, he can go Nf6 or Nc6, and Nf6 looks stronger because…” helps structure your memory.
• Use structured mental “folders” — assign simple mental tags like “line A” and “line B” to variations, and cycle through them methodically.
• Train visualization separately — solving puzzles without moving pieces strengthens your working memory over time.
• Analyze your games after with notes — write out your thought process afterward to see where confusion crept in.

Would you like me to suggest a specific kind of training routine that helps strengthen working memory and calculation organization for chess players?